400 watt MH ballasts

[jlinzmaier]

OK. I was planning on upgrading my MH lighting from 250 watt HQI's to 400 watt HQI's. I've read through the ballast lighting comparison thread and I'm confused. After reading that thread I've got the impression that a 250 watt PFO M80 ballast will produce more light and a higher PAR than most 400 watt ballasts. Is that right or am I misreading something? How can a 250 watt system produce more light than a 400 watt system?

With no cost restrictions - What ballast should I buy to produce the most intense light (excluding the 1000watt systems)? I currently have HQI pendants and I'm under the impression that HQI fixtures produce more light than mogul fixtures. Is that true? If so, what 400 watt HQI ballast produces the highest par - because that's the one I want.

I was considering buying the PFO 400 watt HQI ballast since the lighting thread clearly shows the PFO HQI ballasts outperforming all others by a mile. The thread only compares 250 watt ballasts and doesn't show a comparison of the 400's or the 250's to the 400's.


In the 400 watt category, does the PFO 400 watt HQI ballast stand out as a top performer like the m80 does in the 250 watt category??

Jeremy

[marsh]

PFO ballasts do look good on Sanjay's site.

I am going to try out a new set of 400 W electronic ballast by Lumatec with 20K Radiums. Also bought Quantum Par meter. I like to see if the PAR equals or exceeds the PFO ballast.

[jlinzmaier]

Sounds great. I'm quite interested to see the results.

My guess is that the 400 watt system will have a much higher par than the 250 results. It only seems logical.

Jeremy

[marsh]

BTW Pacific Garden Supply, of Lumenarc fame, is now offering Lumatek ballasts. Aparently Lumatek has also changed their name to LumenAce.
http://www.pacificgardensupply.com/products.asp?cat=13

In terms of reflectors you might want to consider Lumen Bright reflectors. Many folks on RC have swithed to Lumen Bright reflectors. I know that Sanjay has objective data attesting to the superiority of Lumenarc reflectors. However, he has not yet done objective testing on Lumen Bright reflectors. It is the opinion of many on RC the the Lumen Bright reflectors are superior in terms of less lateral light scatter than Lumenarc's.

Anyway, it looks like Lumatek/Lumenace ballasts are going to make headway in the aquarium market as they have in the horticulture market. Sure would like Sanjay to look at these products.

[jlinzmaier]

Anyone know where to get these avalon 400 watt HQI bulbs that are discussed in this article?

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...004/review.htm

When I search for happyreefing.com I get a bogus site.

The PAR on these avalon bulbs is extremely high in comparison to any other 400 watt bulb.